Syracuse Linebacker Group Has High Expectations in 2026

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — As Syracuse football inches closer to the start of the regular season, the Orange have that multiple players can be major contributors on defense. The defensive back unit has gained high praise this summer, with special recognition often coming to sophomore Demetres Samuel Jr. and junior Chris Peal.

But another strong unit for the team will be at linebacker. Included in the mix are sophomore Antoine Deslauriers and transfer Chris D'Appolonia. D'Appolonia came in from Toledo, where he previously played for defensive coordinator Vince Kehres. Kehres was hired by Syracuse for the same position this offseason.

Also included in the strong linebacker unit is Gary Bryant III. Bryant spoke to SyracuseRoundtable following Friday's practice.

The Gary Bryant III file

A fifth-year senior, Bryant begins his second season in Central New York as a part of the Orange defense. Before transferring to Syracuse, Bryant spent three seasons as a part of FCS South Dakota. In his three seasons in Vermillion, S..D, Bryant became an FCS All-American. In 36 total games, the 6-foot-1 linebacker registered 167 tackles, eight tackles for loss and one sack.

Last season, Bryant tied for the team lead in tackles with 60. 

Bryant's thoughts on the past few weeks of training camp:

"We have been battling. Camp is camp. We have been working. We have been just trying to rise the standard. Taking all the things the coaches have given us and taking all the resources we have here and putting them in the place to be successful through out the season. "

On transitioning from training camp to game week?

"I treat it like any other week. Going through my routine and preparing me mentally and physically. Some of the things are to mediate and do things like that. In terms of getting my body right, I spent a lot of hours in the training room. I'm in there two to three times a day. Trying to rest my body and get everything going." 

On why this linebacker unit is so good

"We are meshing together well. We have a great coaching staff. All of us get along very well. We help each other out. We coach each other. We do the little things together. We hang out together outside the building. I can say we are really tight knit. We really care about each other. I think we are one of the best linebacking cores in the country."

What's up next for Bryant and his teammates?

This week marked the end of the training camp practices before the team transitions into game week preparation, starting on Aug. 31.

The Orange will open the season on Sept. 5 against New Hampshire.

Syracuse is coming off a 3-9 season. However, the team was 3-1 last year with quarterback Steve Angeli under center. However, Angeli was injured in Week 4 and missed the rest of the season. The Orange lost all eight games in his absence.

Syracuse was picked to finish 14th out of 17 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) this season. The team will need six wins in order to qualify for a bowl game. The Orange last qualified for a bowl game in 2024, winning the Holiday Bowl. 

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